Candidates Roy, Eustis speak of two different economies

Locked in the race for the 10th Norfolk District state representative seat, Jeffrey Roy and Richard Eustis on Thursday described two very different Massachusetts economies. The candidates, during an editorial board meeting with the Milford Daily News, outlined divergent views on the state’s economy, with Eustis highlighting flaws and Roy propping up successes.

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Sep. 21, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 21, 2012 at 9:04 PM

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Sep. 21, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 21, 2012 at 9:04 PM

» Social News

Locked in the race for the 10th Norfolk District state representative seat, Jeffrey Roy and Richard Eustis on Thursday described two very different Massachusetts economies.

The candidates, during an editorial board meeting with the Milford Daily News, outlined divergent views on the state’s economy, with Eustis highlighting flaws and Roy propping up successes.

Eustis scolded the Democrat-controlled Legislature for not doing enough to bring new companies to the state, citing, as he has before, this year’s Chief Executive Magazine survey of the best and worst states in which to do business — which ranks Massachusetts 47th.

The magazine surveyed 650 chief executive officers from around the country.

"It’s an embarrassment," Eustis said. "It’s a national embarrassment."

Eustis said Democratic legislators have not succeeded in developing strong enough links of communication with the state’s top employers, resulting in a difficult environment in which to do business.

"Rather than creating a climate that invites businesses to be here and put down roots, we’ve got businesses leaving this state at an alarming rate," he said.

Despite the state boasting some of the best schools and hospitals in the country, Eustis said, it has still failed to attract new companies.

"None of these businesses want to be here anymore," he said. "So you have to ask yourself, ‘Why is that?’ And the answer inevitably leads to Beacon Hill."

Eustis blamed higher tax rates, saying they drive businesses out and keep them from wanting to set up shop.

Roy, on the other hand, had a more sanguine outlook on the state’s economy.

"Massachusetts is one of the higher-performing states," he said, listing its AA+ bond rating and 6.3 percent unemployment rate, lower than the national rate of 8.1 percent.

"Massachusetts," he said, "contrary to what my opponent will tell you, is moving in the right direction. We have a lot of work to do, but we are doing it right."

As the Nov. 6 election approaches, Roy wants to talk to businesses and isolate what led them to decide to come to Massachusetts.

So far, he said one of the biggest complaints he's heard while campaigning is that small businesses cannot compete with online retailers because of the sales tax.

And he supports the state collecting sales tax from online outlets.

"I’m not a fan of using local small businesses as show rooms, where you can go in and look at a product and then go order it online to get out of paying the sales tax," he said. "I think one economic area that we can work on is to level the playing field for our small businesses."